Mecklenburg County Woman Wins $150,000 A Week Before Her Birthday

RALEIGH (News Release) – Latonya Louden of Pineville got an early birthday present when a $5 scratch-off produced a $150,000 top prize.

“I was in disbelief,” she said. “I’ve never won anything like this.”

Louden’s fiancé bought her the lucky Power Cashword ticket from B&M Food Service on Lancaster Highway in Pineville.

“I’ve never played that ticket before,” she said. “He likes the crossword games.”

Louden said she wants to celebrate her birthday win by buying a car.

“I might get an SUV,” she said. “Maybe an Audi or an Acura.”

She arrived Wednesday at lottery headquarters to claim her prize and, after required tax withholdings, took home $107,251.

The Power Cashword game debuted in October with six $150,000 top prizes. Four $150,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

For details on how $59.2 million raised by the lottery made a difference for education programs in Mecklenburg County last year, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.